Pendents (For Bed Curtains) Possibly 1644 - 1911

These silk pendants for bed curtains were made by Manchu artisans, using weaving and embroidery techniques. Silk, prized for its luxurious texture and sheen, was a valuable commodity, its production closely tied to complex systems of trade and labor. The golden ground color of the silk provides a rich backdrop for the embroidered designs, where phoenixes soar amidst stylized clouds and floral motifs, all executed with remarkable precision. The weight and drape of the silk, combined with the intricate embroidery, would have lent an air of opulence to the bedchamber. These textiles were made by highly skilled artisans. The embroidery stitches, so small and uniform, speak to countless hours of patient labor. Bed hangings like these served not only a functional purpose, providing warmth and privacy, but also as a potent display of wealth and status, reflecting the social hierarchy of the time. These silk textiles remind us that objects of beauty are also products of human labor.